OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24076, 12 October 1943, Page 2

OBITUARY

LADY WARD Friends in all parts of the Dominion will learn with regret that Lady Ward, widow of Sir Cyril Ward, and daugh-ter-in-law of a former Prime Minister of New Zealand, died at Lewisham Hospital early yestei'day morning.Nearly two years ago she suffered a long and serious illness, but she made a remarkable recovery and enjoyed fairly good health until a few months ago, when she had to re-enter the hospital, and since then she daily grew weaker.

Lady Ward was the only daughter of the late Mr and Mrs J. H. Davidson, formerly of Queensland. She was born at Westbrook station, Toowoomba. and educated at a convent in Brisbane. Her mother was a daughter of Mr Shanahan, one of the earliest and wealthiest settlers in New South Wales. One of his daughters married Sir Patrick Jennings, one-time Premier of New South Wales, another married Mr Reginald Vaughan (a brother of the late Cardinal Vaughan and the only member of that gifted family that married), and a third was Mrs Aloysius Macdonald, wife of a banker, formerly well known in Wellington. While Lady Ward was still at boarding school, her mother died. After leaving school, she came to live with Mrs -Macdonald in Wellington. There she met Mr (afterwards Sir). Cyril Ward, to whom she was'married in 1908 on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the wedding of Sir Joseph Ward and Lady Ward. After their marriage. Mr and Mrs Cyril Wai’d lived for five years in Invercargill before settling in Christchurch in 1913. Lady Ward did not take an active part in civic life except in cases where Sir Cyril Ward or her sons were interested. But she was most hospitable and kindly, and she never refused sympathetic and generous help to good works—religious, charitable, and patriotic.

She was for many years an active member of the Christchurch Ladies’ Golf Club.

She is survived by one daughter. Mrs John Corry. of England, and five sons —Sir Joseph Ward, who is on military service in New Zealand. Pilot Officer C. J. Ward, R.N.Z.A.F. (overseas), Mr Bruce Ward (Christchurch), Mr David Ward. R.N.Z.A.F., and Mr John Ward (.Christchurch). The funeral will take place this morning, following Requiem, Mass, which will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, Manchester street, at 9 a.m.

GATHERING AT LYTTELTON

BRITISH SAILORS’ SOCIETY

“As chairman of the board of directors of the Seamen’s Institute, I wish; to thank members of all the women’s guilds of the British Sailors' Society— Lyttelton, Christchurch. Sumner, Opawa, and Ashburton—the members of the house committee, great number of Knitters who have supplied thousands of knitted comforts for seamen,” said Mr R. Browning when welcoming about 200 guests at an afternoon gathering held yesterday at the Seamen’s Institute at Lyttelton. The Rev. J, Evans said that the amenities available at the institute were excellent. and for the entertainment of the men dances and the screening of piclures were arranged. Billiards, card games and mah-jonag were popular, and many enjoyed reading magazines and books that were always in good supply. Ho specially mentioned the work done by members of the junior guild in Lyttelton. Commander T. S. Critchley, who has recently joined the board of directors, said the institute was appreciated by both British and American seamen. Mr A. K. Dyne, vice-president of the board, asked'the women’s guilds to continue their good work. Mrs H. T. J. Thacker, who presided, thanked Mrs Mounccr and members of the Lyttelton guild for providing tea for so many members of the different guilds and for knitters and helpers who were guests at the party. Mrs Thacker said all regretted that thb representatives of the Ashburton guild were not able to be present; Miss W. Hatchwell. treasurer of the board, presented a posy to Mrs Eli Wilson, a feundation member of the board of directors of the institute, and of the Lyttelton ladies' guild, for which she has worked continuously since its formation. Mrs Wilson is in her eighty-ninth year. Miss Hatchwell also asked Mrs Pitcaithley to take a posy tb her mother. Mrs E. Clark, another foundation member and an indefatigable worker, who recently celebrated her ninety-sixth birthday. After tea was served the visitors were shown over the institute, which has recently been redecorated and partly refurnished.